Handwheel



Amm z2, 119% 154mm@ l... K. SNELL.

HANDWHEEL Filed Nov. 29, 1920 z snee'Ls-snew. l

Amm 22 w24, 11,491,249

' y vs.. K. SNELL HANDWHEEL Filed Nov. 29, 1920 2 Sheets-smet 2 INI/ENTOR. IMI# V y/e fr. ne/n n ATTORNEY i Patented Apr. 22, IQZd;

NITED lsra'ras PATEN ortica.

LYLE K. SHELL, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE MULL WOODWORK COMPANY, OF

' SIDNEY, OHIO.

HANDWHEEL.

Application filed November 29, 1920. Serial No. l$37,057.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, IA'LE K. SNELL, resid-Y ing'atToledo, in the county of Lucas and State o"Y Ohio, have Yinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Handwheels,

of which I declare the following to be a full, clear,v andlv exact description.

This invention relates to in'iprovements in hand wheels, particularly automobile steer- A l0 ing wheels, and to a. method of making the same. 'l I Amongst the objects of the invention 1s the provision of a wheel which isstrong andA of good appearance, but at the same time, .capable of manufacture cheaply. A subsidiary object is the elimination ofv fasten.

ings between the spokes or armsand the rim of the wheel. in'order to leave `the surface of the latter perfectly smooth and unobstructed.

Afurther object is the provision of arms of resilient material and the construction o' the wheel in such a manner'tha't thc arms are flexed slightly in the linished product so as to cause the inherent resilience of the arms to hold their ends extended to a tight t with the rim, whereby all vpossibilityot loosening of the parts after longy usage is avoided.

Still anotherobject is the provision of a structure for the cent-er of the wheel, in .which the separate arms may be tightly clamped to prevent movement in all directions and in which the elements making up 'the `central clamping structure, after being once set, are prevented from movement with respect to each other.

Objects relating to details of construction and economies of manufacture, and other objects, *willl appear as I proceed-with the description of that embodiment of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a fragmental, plan view of a hand wheel vembodying my invention, part of the hub l*flanges being broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the parts.

Fig. II is a vertical, sectional view taken approximately on the line II-II of Fig. I. Fig. III is a detail, plan view of the annular clamping member. t

Fig. IV is a fragmental, plan View similar to Fig. I, invention.

' line of Fig. IX.

but showing a modification of the" Fig. Vis a verticahsectional view of a. modification of the structure at the center ofthe wheel, the form and mounting of the arms being as shown 'in' `either of Figs. I or IV.

Fig. VI isa'view similar to FigsI and.4

IV, but showing another modification.

Fig. VII is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. VI.

Fig. 'VIII is a plan View of the clamping member shown in Figs. VI and VII.

Fig. IX is a plan view ofy a further modification of the central structure.

Fig. X is a vertical section taken on the Fig. XI is a plan view of the clamping mem er of Figs. IX and X. A

Fig.vXII is a vertical. sectional, detail View of still another modification. ALike' reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the views.

I am well vaware of the factthat it has been Vproposed to make steering wheels by the formation of a spider having a hub and arms integral therewith, and spreading the spider by means of pressure applied to the hub so as to cause the extremities of the arms to enter recesses in the wheel rim. I am also aware that it is old broadly to employ separate arms with interlocking joints at their inner ends. The present invention, however, is clearly differentiated from prior art of this character, because it involves placing thc extremities ot the separate arms in the rim recesses first, rather than as the final step in the process, and because the arms are made of fiat, resilient material Wliichis flexed slightly in a transverse direction whenthe wheel is'assembled, resulting in a constant tendency thereafter for the arms to straighten out and thereby maintain all joints tight.

-The rim l0 oli-the wheel is. preferably solid, and the preferred material is wood.

At regular intervals along-its inner wall,

with a tight fit the outer lextremities of separate spokes or arms 12. As above stated, these arms are made ot resilient material. I have found it very Asatisfactory to stamp them out of sheet steel of a heavy gauge. The inner extremities of thel arms may be fiat as shown in the modifications illustrated be turneddownasjshofwn at'l vin is and V and'at 14 in FgJXII.

AI have. illustrated a number f iiterent.

formswhich may be taken by t structure spiritotthe invention. llt isesscntiah'hotvr, `ever,that ,there be provided a hub against in Figs.l VI te. XI inclusivmjor the vendsfmay atthe' center of the Wheel. Other modifica-A tions than thoseshown arealso 'Within `the Whichthe. inner ends of the' spokes orarnis bear lin their leXed con-dition and to Which Athey are' secured.. A It sh ould4 be understood, however, that I claiini-nventlon for some of.

herein-disclosed, as vvell" as for the broad In. Figures i, n and: 111,15 'designates the hub member. havingv an upper outwardly extending'flange 16 and .provided with a 'key-Way l?, by means of which non-rotas tive connection maybe had with the steer- I .ing post of an automobile, or with any other shafft upon which' it may be -desired to mount thewheel. The diameter of theliub is slightly greatei` than the distance be- 'braced .against relative movement. Hence,

tween the inner ends of opposing arms Whenthe latter are-in their unlexed condition; that is, it 'is necessary to flex the arms before thehub may be introduced into the space surrounded by' the inner ends of the arms. The.latter are securedto the hub by ".mean's of an annular clampingfmember-l to which the hub is joined by a driving it.

The upper, inner` sid'e of thef clamping mem- -ber 18 is providedj'with' an annular rabbet 19 for the reception of the downwardly ben-t ends 13 of the arms, While the radial portionsnext theendsllie 'in ra'd-i'al lsockets 20 inthe top of the lmember. 'IhesefA sockets prevent any movement ofthe' inner ends o the armswith respectv to each other'or the clampingA member.

-In'` assembling this form of the Wheel,

the'arms are first forced i nto the recessesll f .in therim, as is ythe case -Withall the forms.

vThe 'inner ends of the arms are then ar rangedin-,tlie corresponding sockets 20 of the -clampinggrnember 18,'and the arms` 12 flexed suiiciently to bring their inner ends ilushvvithv the inner Wall of the clamping member.y `Thehub member 16 is then driven -pastthe downwardly bent ends 13 of the .armsfinto vthe 'clamping member until the iiange 16 engages the arms 12 and holds them firmly in the radial sockets 20. A

` described herein.

connection with an externally threaded hub member 22. In assembling'this form of the bethre'aded -into. aligned he invention, the hub .member n. .s threaded intothe clamping mem the Varms are iexed sutfioentiy tc the'inner ends thereol from the path e 7 hub member.: "When the hub is screwed homeg'one or more machine screws 23 may s provid-ed in einher-22 1M. 'bn-3 sneu screwf. is s utl'icienti'il 'socketssuch as 20 of Fig. III? -are provided. in. the clamping member 21, the screw. then .serving the purposemerely of locking the `parts2f1 and against rela,-

the `-clamping member fi l. and radial arms 12.

tive rotation.' L"When such sockets 'are om1tted,as is diej-'case in Fig.- f I/, the screws 23 areuse-ul inpreventmg lmovement of the inner i-eridsot the arms with respect tocachfother and to hub or `clamping member.-

in the Structure ilnsrfare'dfiii rig. iv,

the inner ends'of the arms 12 are extended oneach side' to Vfor-'m quarter segmentsv 2st of. an-annulus, `preferably of the same Width as the flange 116 on the hub..l fAsvthefside edges of each `r-l`segment-24. abut those I next to it on either side,'a ll of-the arms are if one armffyvere positively.'V anchored to the `clamping member or tothe hub member,

the others could not be moved, but I prefer is,y provided' withradial sockets 26 lmerging -to usev a screw 23 for each a'rm in order to into a ciicular socket 27 in which the arms rest, thesegments 28 of the arms being narroiv'er .than vthe segments 24 of Figi IV. 'In` this 'modification also, rivets 29 are ein?" ployedfor fastening the arms. Vl2 toxlthe clamping. member only, the-"hub member 30-ha'ving van 'uninterrupted upper a'nge.

The construction of Figs. IX, X and-XI is quite similar to that just described, the diiferences being in the form ofthe clamping member 31 and hub member 32 and in the fact that the rivets 33, extendv through the upper flange of the hub member.

In Fig. XII the hub member 34 and clamping member 35 are threaded together .to grip the arms 12, as in some ofthe previously described forms, but in thisfigure, the screws 36 are substantially coneealed, being inserted upwardly through the jclainping member 35 into the depending ends 1li of the arms. In thismodication, the clamping member 35 may bejeirmed'J Without radial sockets,l if desired,-'-or.. itr.mayhave sockets such as those shown in Figs. I II'or VIII. l*

I desire' to emphasize the4 fact Vthat my invention in its broadv aspectfis not` liiiiiited to any particular form orl construetion'of the central portion'of the-wheel, thoseforms menage described herein being illustrative onl so far as the broad invention is concerne I desire also to call attention to the fact that the amount of fiexure in the arms 12, necessary in assembling the wlieel, is relatively slight, and smaller by many times than that which would be necessary in order towithf draw the arms from their sockets in the rim.

l, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Let- `-ing a hand Wheel consistin ters Patent is:

1. The herein described method of formof connecting the rim with separate resi ient spokes or` arms by means of complementary projections and sockets, flexing said arms so as to increase the space bounded by the inner ends thereof, inserting a hub member in said space and relieving said arms of the flexing stress.

2. The herein described method of forming a hand wheel consisting of recessing the rim at intervals along its inner wall, inserting separate resilient spokes or arms into said recesses, flexing said arms so as to increase the space bounded by the inner ends of the arms, inserting a hub member in said space and relieving said arms of the iiexinstress.

3. The herein described method of form-A ing a hand wheel consisting of connectingV the rim with separate resilient spokes or arms by means of complementary projec tions and sockets, exing said arms so as to increase the vspace bounded by the inner ends thereof, inserting a hub member in said space and applying fastening means to hold said arms .and hub fixed with relation to each other. j

4. The herein described method of forming a hand wheel consisting of connecting the rim witlr separateresilient spokes ,or arms by means of complementary projec` tions and sockets, arranging the inner ends of said arms in radial sockets in a central, annular clamping member, fieXing said arms so as to increase the space bounded by the inner ends thereof, inserting a hub member in said space and securely fastening said hub member and annular clamping member together.

5. The herein described method of forming a hand wheel consisting of connecting tlie'rim with separate resilient spokes or arms by means of complementary projections and sockets, arranging the inner ends of said arms radially on oney side cfa central annular clamping member, exing said arms so as to increase the space bounded by the inner ends thereof, inserting a flanged hub member in said space and causing' said clamping member to approach theimange on said hub to grip the inner ends of said arms between said langeand clam ing member.

6. The herein described met iod of forming a hand Wheel having a rim, separate spokes or arms, and a central portion comprising an annular clamping member and a flanged hub'member, one of said two lastV named members having therein radial sockets adapted to receive the arms, said method consisting in joining the outer ends f of the arms to the rim by a projection and socket connection, arranging the inner ends of the arms 1n said grooves, and causing said .clamping member to'approachrthe yflange on said hub member to gri the arms between said member. l 7. The herein described method of forming a hand wheel having a rim, separate spokes or arms, and a central portion comprisingla/n annular clamping memberl and a flangedl hub member, said members being threaded to permit the hub member to be screwed into the clamping member, and one thefine'r ends of ange and clamping of saidmembers having therein radial l sockets adapted to receive the arms, said method consistinglin joining the outer ends of the arms to the rim by a projection and A socket connection, arranging the inner ends of the arms in said radial sockets and screwing the hub member into said clamping member to cause the flange on the h nb member to press the inner ends of the arms against the said clamping member.

8. The herein described method of forming a hand wheel consisting of connecting'the rim with separate resilient arms or spokes by means of. complementary projections and sockets, arranging the inner ends of said arms radially on one side of a central, annular, interiorly threaded clamping member, flexing said arms, so as to increase the space. bounded by the inner ends thereof, and screwing an externally threaded flanged hub member intosaid clamping member to grip the inner ends lof the arms between said flange and clamping member.

9. The herein described method of form'- ing a hand Vwheel consisting of recessing the rim at intervals along its inner wall, inserting separate resilient arms or spokes into said recesses, arranging the inner ends of said arms radially on one side of a central, annulaiy'interiorly threaded clamping member, 'flexing said arms so as to increase the space' bounded by the inner ends thereof, and screwing an externally threaded flanged hub member into said clamping member to grip the inner ends of the arms between said flange and clamping member.

ri a

ber, separate spokes orjarmsj'of resilient "ina-L `terial, '-'havingetheir "outer ends connected Withfsaidfrim-'by means of compl'elnientary proj eetio'n's. and sockets and-4r their.:` inner ends" separatedby said hub, the said-arms. beingl y fiexed slightly so. as-to -cause 'the inherent. resilience# thereofA -to keep the `.outer u ends' pressed tightly into enga'gement,withsaidv terial having....t`he`i'r`pute-r ends conneete vwith said riin'by"n1eans. .off complementaryprojections and sockets .and their finnerrfendsf, separated by said hubk .a'nd secured thereto,

the 'said arms being flexed slightlyfso ast'o cause the inherent resilience thereof tovke'ep the outer ends'pressedtightlyinto engage-v fsaidrhub member, .separate-spokesor. arm'sf ment with said rim. y

y 12. In a hand Wheel, a"'rim, flanged hub member, separate' spokes orarms of resilient material having their'zouten ends connected with said 'rim'by ni'eanslof complement-ary projections and, sockets' their inner ends separated by. sandhub, an'

- annular clamping member.surroundingsaid` hub, said clamping member being' arranged to hold the inner ends of the .arms against said flange, said arms being flexed' slightly so' aste cause the inherent resilience thereof to keep the outer ends pressed tightly into len-l gagement with said rim. -l

13; In a hand wheel, a rim, a hub member, anoutwardly extending flange Vthereon, separate spokes or arms connectedvat their outer ends with said rim, the inner endsl of" said arms bearing against said hub and saida flange, and an annular clamping member surroundingsaid hub, said clamping member and said flange being arranged to grip the inner ends of said arms. r

14. In a hand Wheel, a. rim, an outwardly anged hub member, separate spokes. or Iarms connected at their outer ends with said rim, the inner ends of said arms bearing against said hub and said flange, and an annuiar clamping member threaded on said hub and provided with a bearing surface ad` pted to engage said arms on the side opposite said ange. In a hand wheel, a rim, an outwardly flanged hub member, separate spokes or arms connected at their outer ends with said' rim, the inner ends of said arms bearing against said hub and said iange, an annular clamping member threaded on said hub and provided with a bearing surface adapted to a hand'wlieel, aj'rii'n, afhub meinff ber, separate spokes Ior armsg'of resilient *may* V lfliange, andneanSJOr preventing movement `of theinliel.'endsA Qfsaid arms 'relative to y said hub in a-plane perpendicular tothe-.axis

of the.'WheeLf-v -a v ,aereas ber.

tianged hub member,v separate `spokes oi" arms' eonnectedat theirfouter ends with said engage said arms .en-the vside oppositesaid tion comprising a anged hub. inember and i rim, the innerbends of said armsbearingV 'against said hub and saijdfflang'e,anfannular' lampin lI nelnber' threaded' onjsaid and .provide .With'a bearing'surfaCe adapted to lanI annular clamp-ping. member surrounding.

connected .at .their outer ends with saidrim, g

.the inner endsofsaid armsbiearing, against -the arms therebetween... y' i adapted i0 clamp .the said .hub'member adjacent-the:flange thereon, one ofsaid members having radial. is'gekets there'infor ,the reeeptonf'of :saidif farms, said' members 'being arms. connected 1t-'their oute'rends with said f rim, the inner ends of said armsbeing b'ent.

downwardly to v lie against the periphery of s .the hub, and an'v annular clamping. member- .surrounding said" hub andprovidedgwith .an

annular 'rece-ss uponits upperinnerfside toj.

.receive the 4.down bent ends of the'arrns, said '.elamping.-A member having an; upper surface the .radial portions of the` 1 I e ysameagainst thefl'ange lon the hub member in gripping relation.

19. Ina hand wheelha rim, an outwardly i g adapted v.to 'engage arms to press t flanged hub membergiseparate'spokes or rims connected at their outer'ends with said rim, the inner ends. of# said armsjjbeingbent downwardly to lie against the periphery of j the hub', an annular clamping member threaded onto the periphery ofthe hub and provided with an annular reee'ss upon its up'- per, inner side to receive the down bent endsof the arms, said clamping member 'having an upper surface adapted to.' engage thera` dial portions ofthe armsto press the same against the fiange-on thehub member .infv

gripping relation.

ture.

LYLE KL .SN-ELL.

In testimony whereof, lI vaiix'my signa ics 

